Elisha hawes



(No Model.) r

E. HAWES. .GAN OPENER AND SHEET METAL CUTTER.

N0. 384,973. I Patented June 26, 1888. r I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELISHA HAWES, or SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

CAN-OPENER AND SHEET-METAL CUTTER.

i SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 384,973, dated June 26, 1888.

Application filed August 24, 1887. Serial No. 247,779. (No model) can-openers and sheetmetal cutters, of which the following is a full and clear description.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of one form of my invention particularly adapted for opening square cans. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified form of my invention adapted for opening cylindrical cans. Fig. 3 is a similar view of another modified form of my invention adapted for cutting a round hole in a can at a single operation. Fig. 4 is another modified form ofmy invention adapted for opening cans and for cutting sheet metal.

Referring to Fig. l, A represents a series of four blades or cutters which radiate from a common center, are arranged at right angles, and have their outer edges inclined downward and inward to a point, C. The said outer edgesof the blades orcutters are provided with serrated teeth D.

E represents braces which are bent at right angles, and are secured in the angles formed at the upper portions of the blades or cutters A by means of rivets F.

G represents a series offour down wardly-di' verging arms, which have an eye, H, formed at their upper ends, and have their lower ends riveted to the outer corners of the bladesor cutters. A cross-bar, J, is fitted in the eye H, and serves as a handle by means of which the device may be grasped and manipulated.

One of the blades or cutters is provided at its upper portion with an outwardly-project ing arm or extension, K, which is formed in tegrally with said blade, and on one side of the said arm or extension are a pair of rotary cutters, B, which overlap each other at their inner edges, and are provided with peripheral serrations or teeth, as shown.

By forcing the device point downward in the top of a can the serrated edges of the blades A cut radial slits in the top of the can, and hence enable the same to be readily opened. 'By forcing the device far enough downward through the top of the can to cause the rotary cutters B to impinge on one corner of the same the said cutters may be caused to provided with serrations or teeth on its edge.

A pair of downwardlydiverging arms, G, have an eye, H, at their upper ends, a crossbar or handle, J, in said eye, and have their lower ends riveted to the upper corners of the blade A. This form of myinventionis adapted to cut a curved slit when forced point downward into the cover of a can or other piece of sheet metal.

The form of my invention shown in Fig. 3 comprises a cylindrical blade or cutter, L, having serrated teeth at its lower edge, a head, M, secured in the upper end of the cylindrical blade, and a standard or handle, N, projecting vertically from the center of said head. This form of my invention is adapted to cut a circular opening in a can-top or other piece of sheet metal when forced downward through the same.

The form of my invention shown in Fig. 4 is an axe or cutter, 0, having a V-shaped incision in its lower cuttingedge, thereby forming a pair of wedge shaped cutting points or 2. A can-opener and sheet-metal cutter having the radial blades A, provided with toothed downwardly-converging edges, substant-ially as described.

3. The can-opener having the radial blades A, having the downwardly-converging toothed outer edges, andthe upwardly-converging arms G, attached to the upper sides of said blades, substantially as described.

4. The canopener having the radial cutting-blades A, one of which is provided with the projection or extension K, and the rotary cutters B, journaled on one side of said arm or extension and provided with serrated edges, substantially as described.

ELISHA HAWVES.

WVitnesses:

E. B. CARROLL, J. H. CARROLL.

IOO 

